Buying a Used Piano? What to Check First

A used piano can be a wonderful deal — or an expensive mistake that's hard to get rid of. Before you accept that "free" piano from a neighbour or buy one online, here's what's worth checking.

Start with where it's lived

A piano kept in a stable, climate-controlled home has usually aged far better than one stored in a basement, garage or against an exterior wall. Ask how old it is, when it was last tuned, and whether it's ever had repairs. A piano that's been tuned regularly is a good sign someone cared for it.

Look, play, and listen

• Every key. Play all 88. Notes that don't sound, stick, or feel wildly uneven point to action or regulation work.
• The tone across the range. Listen for notes that buzz, rattle or sound dramatically out of tune with their neighbours.
• The pedals. They should engage smoothly and do something audible.
• The cabinet and lid. Cosmetic wear is fine; structural cracks are a warning.

The things you can't see

The most important parts of a piano — the pinblock that holds tuning pins, the soundboard, the bridges — are hard for a buyer to assess by eye. A piano that won't hold a tuning because of a worn pinblock can be effectively unrepairable. If the piano has any real value to you, a pre-purchase inspection by a technician is money well spent; we can tell you in one visit whether it's worth bringing home.

Don't forget the move and the first tuning

Budget for professional movers (pianos are heavy and easy to damage) and a tuning after it settles in your home — a piano almost always needs tuning once it's moved. Factor those into the "free" price.

When to walk away

Be cautious with very old uprights of unknown history, anything stored in damp conditions, and pianos a seller is desperate to give away with no detail. Sometimes the kindest outcome for a tired piano isn't your living room. When in doubt, ask us first.